Best Secondary Schools in Cheshire West and Chester 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 20 schools across Cheshire West and Chester. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Cheshire West and Chester has 20 secondary schools, of which 1 (5%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 17 rated Good — 90% of secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester are rated Good or Outstanding overall. The County High School, Leftwich currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Cheshire West and Chester follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

20
Total schools
1
Outstanding
5%
Outstanding rate
62%
Avg KS2 SATs
38.5
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 The County High School, Leftwich
Secondary
 Outstanding 75 View school
🥈 Tarporley High School and Sixth Form College
Secondary
 Good 71 View school
🥉 Christleton High School
Secondary
 Good 71 View school
4. Bishop Heber High School
Secondary
 Good 70 View school
5. The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School
Secondary
 Good 70 View school
6. Weaverham High School
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
7. St Nicholas Catholic High School
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
8. Hartford Church of England High School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
9. Upton-by-Chester High School
Secondary
 Good 64 View school
10. Helsby High School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
11. The Catholic High School, Chester
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
12. Neston High School
Secondary
 Good 57 View school
13. The Whitby High School
Secondary
 Good 51 View school
14. Ellesmere Port Church of England College
Secondary
 Good 51 View school
15. The Rudheath Senior Academy
Secondary
 Good 47 View school
16. Chester International School
Secondary
 Good 46 View school
17. Queen's Park High School
Secondary
 Good 43 View school
18. Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 39 View school
19. Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 34 View school
20. The Winsford Academy
Secondary
 Good 31 View school

Related lists for Cheshire West and Chester

All schools in Cheshire West and ChesterPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in Cheshire West and ChesterReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Cheshire West and Chester1 school rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Cheshire West and Chester

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

Search schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Cheshire West and Chester?
There are 20 secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester, of which 1 (5%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Cheshire West and Chester?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Cheshire West and Chester is The County High School, Leftwich. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Cheshire West and Chester?
Primary and secondary school applications in Cheshire West and Chester are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Cheshire West and Chester council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Cheshire West and Chester?
5% of secondary schools in Cheshire West and Chester are rated Outstanding and 85% are rated Good. 82.6% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.